Amazon is reportedly developing a new smartphone codenamed “Transformer,” according to Reuters, with a focus on integrating Alexa’s artificial intelligence capabilities. The ZeroOne group, led by J Allard, a former Microsoft executive who worked on the Zune and Xbox, has explored both conventional smartphone designs and simplified dumbphone concepts, taking inspiration from the $700 Light Phone, which lacks an app store. Amazon aims to avoid the app‑availability issues that limited its earlier Fire Phone, which launched at $199 and was discontinued after one year. The project emphasizes AI integration, potentially using mini‑applications rather than a full app ecosystem. No release timeline or price has been announced, and the project’s future remains uncertain. Some users have criticized recent Alexa updates for increased advertisements and slower response times.